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6.8/10
Senior Film Conservator
A definitive 6.8/10 rating for a film that redefined the boundaries of cult cinema. Reckless Living remains a cornerstone of transgressive art.
You should watch this if you have a soft spot for those early 30s movies where everyone talks fast and drinks out of chipped teacups.
If you are looking for a deep masterpiece with a lot of layers, you will probably hate it.
It's a bit of a mess, honestly. But I kind of liked that about it. 🍺
The whole plot is about a couple running a speakeasy just so they can buy a gas station. It feels so small and real.
Like, who dreams of a gas station now? Back then, I guess that was the ultimate goal for a guy who didn't want to work for the man.
Mae Clarke is the heart of the thing. She has this way of looking at her husband like she wants to hit him and hug him at the same time.
I love her face when she realizes the money is gone. She doesn't scream; she just looks tired.
The husband, played by Norman Foster, is kind of a dummy. You watch him and you just want to shake him by the shoulders.
He goes to the bookies and you just know he's going to blow it. It's that classic 'one last bet' thing that never works out.
The way he walks into the room after losing—shoulders slumped, eyes darting—it's actually too real. I've seen that look on people in real life.
There is this one scene where a guy is just leaning against a wall in the background of the bar. He isn't doing anything important.
He just looks bored of being in a speakeasy. I felt that in my soul.
It reminds me a little bit of the vibe in Bad Sister, but maybe a little less dark. Or maybe like Let Us Be Gay if everyone was much poorer.
The dialogue is snappy but sometimes it feels like they forgot to finish a scene. It just stops.
Like the editor had a bus to catch and just sliced the film right there. 🚌
Ricardo Cortez shows up being his usual self. He has that mustache that just screams 'I am going to steal your girl.'
But even he feels a bit more human here than in some of his other roles. He's not a cartoon villain.
The speakeasy itself looks cramped and uncomfortable. You can almost smell the stale beer and cheap cigars through the screen.
It doesn't look like a fancy movie set. It looks like a basement someone threw some chairs into and called it a business.
One thing that bothered me was the lighting in the kitchen. It's way too bright compared to the rest of the place.
It makes no sense, but whatever. 🤷♂️
The movie doesn't try to be a big statement about the human condition or anything. It's just about two people trying not to drown.
And the gambling scenes? They make my stomach turn because the tension is so high even though the stakes are low.
It's not perfect. The ending feels a bit rushed, like they ran out of money for the production.
I wish we saw more of Slim Summerville. He has a funny face that always makes the scene better.
The sound quality is a bit scratchy in the version I saw. You have to lean in to hear some of the jokes.
But that adds to the charm, I guess. It feels like finding an old photo in an attic.
Is it a great movie? Not really. Is it a good way to spend an hour? Yeah, I think so.
The way they handle the 'reckless' part of the title is pretty honest. Most people aren't reckless because they are brave; they are reckless because they are desperate.
Anyway, it's a solid watch if you like Pre-Code stuff. Just don't expect a happy ending that feels earned. It's just... an ending.
IMDb —
1914
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